Nine-year wait for NZ refugee deal due to fears of snubbing US option, Jacqui Lambie and government say
by Paul Karp from World news | The Guardian on (#5XFZN)
Independent senator says deal with New Zealand to resettle 450 people could have caused some to turn down US program
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Australia waited nine years to accept the New Zealand refugee deal out of fear asylum seekers would snub the option of the US, independent senator Jacqui Lambie and the Morrison government have claimed.
On Thursday Australia accepted an offer first made in February 2013 to take up to 450 refugees and asylum seekers, which Lambie then revealed had been a key commitment to win her casting vote to repeal legislation improving access to medical evacuation from offshore detention.
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